State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said the government is working to stand beside the underprivileged and marginalized communities. He emphasized that it is the state's duty to ensure a favorable environment for all citizens so that no group is left behind. He made these remarks on Friday at a one-time check distribution event for distressed individuals organized by the National Social Welfare Council at the Jessore Deputy Commissioner's conference room. The minister stated that under the BNP government’s election manifesto, initiatives such as the Family Card and honorariums for religious and social service figures have been implemented. So far, 37,567 beneficiaries have received Family Cards, with plans to expand the program in June. He added that despite global fuel price increases in 80 countries, Bangladesh has no plan to raise fuel prices and currently faces no fuel shortage. Iran has allowed five countries, including Bangladesh, to use the Hormuz Strait for shipping, which he described as a major success for the government. The event was organized by the Department of Social Services with support from the Jessore district administration.

Public protests have intensified across West Bengal over the ongoing voter list revision process, with many citizens alleging wrongful exclusion of their names. The final list, published on February 28, 2026, marked around six million names as 'under consideration' under judicial supervision. The Election Commission has since released an additional list on Monday and plans to publish a second supplementary list on Friday. In Kolkata’s Dharmatala area, several civic and human rights groups organized a public meeting on Friday to protest the exclusions. Among those affected is Afroza Khatun, a college professor whose name remains under review, raising concerns about her right to vote. Human rights activist Ranjit Shur warned that those whose names are omitted could face broader loss of citizenship rights. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed anger over the process, alleging that names are being selectively removed despite the adjudication continuing for an extended period.

A total of 5,000 metric tons of diesel arrived in Bangladesh from India’s Numaligarh Refinery in Assam through a cross-border pipeline, reaching the Parbatipur railhead depot in Dinajpur late Thursday night. The delivery was confirmed Friday by the depot’s assistant in-charge, who said the transfer took about 60 hours. The diesel was distributed Friday morning to the Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna depots, with Padma receiving 18,500 metric tons. According to official sources, the pipeline was established under a 15-year agreement signed on October 22, 2017, between Bangladesh and India to ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for irrigation and transport in eight northern districts. The agreement allows Bangladesh to import up to 180,000 metric tons of diesel in 2026. So far, 5,000 metric tons arrived in February and another 5,000 on March 11. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has proposed importing an additional 50,000 tons of diesel through the same pipeline within the next four months to meet growing demand.

The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has announced that individuals providing specific information about illegal fuel stockpiling will receive rewards. The decision, disclosed on Friday, March 27, 2026, aims to prevent an artificial fuel crisis across the country. Vigilance teams have already been formed in all districts to monitor fuel supply and identify illegal storage activities. According to the ministry, a formal reward announcement will be made soon to encourage citizens to share concrete complaints and suggestions. Field-level operations have begun to curb illegal hoarding, including a raid in Chattogram’s Patenga area where approximately 6,000 liters of diesel stored in 30 drums were seized. Authorities stated that district administrations are now taking strict measures to maintain discipline in the energy sector and ensure normal supply. All fuel depots, petrol pumps, and traders are under close surveillance, and similar operations will continue regularly in the public interest.

Imran Hossain, a 23-year-old staff reporter of the newspaper Amar Desh, was seriously injured after being hit by an army bus in Gazipur’s Borobari area on Wednesday. Following the accident, he was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) but reportedly received minimal treatment before being sent home. His condition worsened on Thursday while resting at his sister’s residence in Shah Ali, prompting his family to take him back to DMCH. Doctors at DMCH later confirmed that Imran’s shoulder bone was fractured and that he might require urgent surgery. However, hospital staff initially refused to admit him, insisting he return home. After repeated pleas from his family, he was eventually admitted. Family members expressed concern over his excessive bleeding and deteriorating condition. Attempts to contact the hospital director, Brigadier Asaduzzaman, were unsuccessful. Earlier that morning, two members of the military police visited Imran’s sister’s home to inquire about the incident but left after family objections. Witnesses said the accident occurred when an army bus hit Imran as he was crossing the Dhaka–Mymensingh highway.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ali Hossain Fakir stated that all incidents of killings, including those involving police personnel, occurring before and after August 5 will be prosecuted according to law. He made the remarks on Friday afternoon during a press briefing at the Rajshahi Metropolitan Police headquarters in response to journalists’ questions. The police chief urged citizens to obey the law to build a peaceful and civilized society. He criticized the tendency of young people to block roads and protest frequently, saying such actions harm everyone. Fakir also highlighted issues such as high youth unemployment, capital flight affecting banks, and the resulting rise in crimes like drug abuse and snatching. He reaffirmed the police’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy against drugs. Addressing a question on fuel shortages and black market sales, the IGP said that collecting fuel from a few petrol pumps and selling it at a slightly higher price brings little profit, emphasizing the need for moral awareness in society.

Iran fired two rounds of missiles at Israel within minutes on Friday afternoon, according to reports from Tehran. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that warning sirens were activated across southern and central Israel following the attacks. The strikes mark a continuation of Iran’s retaliatory campaign that began after Israel and the United States jointly attacked Iranian targets on February 28. Since then, Iran has repeatedly launched missiles toward various parts of Israel. Recently, Tehran has increased its use of cluster missiles, each carrying around 20 smaller bombs that disperse over an eight-kilometer radius. These munitions are difficult for Israel’s air defense systems to intercept, resulting in significant infrastructure damage in recent days. The Times of Israel reported that the latest attacks have intensified concerns about further escalation between the two countries, as both sides continue to exchange strikes across the region.

The Petrol Pump Owners Association has urged the public to remain calm amid recent fuel shortages across Bangladesh, assuring that the supply situation will return to normal from Saturday. The association issued a statement on Friday, requesting consumers not to panic and to collect fuel as usual. According to the statement, the temporary fuel shortage occurred because the regular supply chain was disrupted during March due to an unusually high number of government holidays. This led to some petrol pumps running out of stock in several parts of the country. The association’s convener, Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, described the current rush at petrol stations as unprecedented in his 50 years of business and called for restraint from consumers. The association reaffirmed that the supply process has already been restored and that full normalization is expected from Saturday, easing the temporary disruption experienced earlier in the week.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit announced that the Bangladesh government is providing a daily subsidy of Tk 16.7 billion on fuel to reduce public hardship. He made the statement on Friday at a meeting held at the Jessore Deputy Commissioner’s office during a check distribution event for distressed and underprivileged individuals organized by the Department of Social Services. The minister said that despite global instability, the government has no plan to raise fuel prices, as such an increase would raise costs for electricity, public transport, and food, putting pressure on ordinary citizens. He added that while many countries have raised fuel prices, Bangladesh has maintained stable prices and ensured normal supply. The government has also secured sufficient fuel supply until April and initiated efforts to maintain a 90-day reserve. Amit further mentioned that the government is implementing its election pledges, including the launch of the Family Card program and plans to introduce a Farmer Card on Pahela Baishakh. The event concluded with financial aid checks distributed to 153 distressed individuals.

BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan has alleged that the Awami League repeatedly destroyed democracy despite claiming to have established it. Speaking as a special guest at a discussion marking Independence and National Day at the Engineers Institute in Dhaka’s Ramna on Friday, he said Sheikh Mujibur Rahman could not implement the one-party system known as BAKSAL, but his daughter Sheikh Hasina succeeded in doing so by politicizing every institution, including the judiciary. He stated that independence means not only territorial sovereignty but also the rights and freedom of every citizen. Referring to the 2024 mass uprising and the February 12 election, he said the people of Bangladesh had achieved change through long struggles by students, workers, and the public. According to him, the people have accepted BNP and its leader Tarique Rahman, who is now working to expand employment, education, and climate resilience through initiatives such as distributing family cards to farmers. Nazrul emphasized that the benefits of the government’s development programs must reach every household across the country.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has pledged to build a self-reliant Bangladesh through collective effort, emphasizing that while the nation’s aspirations are limitless, resources remain constrained. Speaking on Friday at a discussion organized by the BNP at the Engineers Institution auditorium in Dhaka to mark Independence and National Day, he said the government is democratic and committed to ensuring well-being for all citizens, not just a segment of society. He urged that discussions and research on the Liberation War and independence should honor their historical significance without diminishing their value. Remembering the contributions of national leaders, including the late President Ziaur Rahman, Tarique Rahman highlighted Zia’s role in declaring independence and his writings that documented the event. He described the Liberation War as a people’s struggle and stressed the collective responsibility to safeguard the nation’s hard-earned freedom. The Prime Minister also mentioned government initiatives such as family cards, farmer cards, and canal excavation programs aimed at improving living standards. He called on the younger generation to embrace unity and shared prosperity as the core promise of this year’s Independence Day.

Police in Ranisankail, Thakurgaon, arrested a 25-year-old Hindu man named Bidhan Roy on Friday afternoon for allegedly posting a derogatory comment about Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) on Facebook. The arrest took place in Parkunda village under Nekmarad Union, where Roy, son of Malin Chandra Roy, resides. According to police, the Facebook post quickly spread across various platforms, sparking tension in the area. Law enforcement officers, with assistance from local residents, detained the suspect to prevent further unrest. Officer-in-Charge Amanullah Al Bari confirmed the arrest and said the accused was sent to jail through the court. Police are currently verifying the authenticity of the incident, and authorities reported that the situation in the area has returned to normal.

Police have arrested Jamaat-e-Islami leader Engineer Mizanur Rahman Mizan, aged 35, in connection with a case filed over the assault and altercation involving police officers at Palashbari Police Station in Gaibandha. The arrest was confirmed on Friday afternoon by Officer-in-Charge Sarwar Alam Khan. Mizan was detained early Friday morning from his home in Gridharipur village during a joint operation by Palashbari police and the Detective Branch. According to the report, Mizanur Rahman Mizan serves as the current secretary of the professional wing of Palashbari Upazila Jamaat and is the son of Golam Mostafa. He previously held positions as the municipal Jamaat amir and president of the upazila unit of Islami Chhatra Shibir. The case stems from a March 25 incident when several Jamaat youth leaders visited the police station to submit a complaint, leading to a confrontation and attack that injured eight police officers, including the OC. Following the incident, a case was filed naming nine individuals and several unidentified others. The Palashbari Upazila Jamaat branch has formed an internal investigation committee to review the matter.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman stated that discussions and research on Bangladesh’s independence and Liberation War should continue across generations, but must not devalue the nation’s history. He made these remarks on Friday at a discussion organized by the BNP at the Engineers Institution auditorium in Dhaka, marking Independence and National Day. Rahman paid tribute to all national leaders and martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War, including Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, highlighting Zia’s role as the proclaimer of independence and his writings as valuable historical documents. He emphasized that independence was a people’s war, not owned by any single party, and called for unity to build a self-reliant and prosperous Bangladesh despite limited resources. He also mentioned that the current democratic government has launched initiatives such as family cards, farmer cards, and canal excavation projects to improve citizens’ living standards. Rahman urged the younger generation to commit to collective well-being as part of this year’s Independence Day pledge.

A young man named Russel Biswas, aged 25, was critically injured after being attacked with sharp weapons inside the Kotalipara Upazila Health Complex in Gopalganj on Friday morning. The assault occurred around 8:30 a.m. when several men allegedly entered the hospital and attacked him. Russel, son of Jamal Biswas from Barshapara village, was later transferred to Dhaka for advanced treatment due to his critical condition. According to local sources, a long-standing land dispute between Jamal Biswas and his brother Panna Biswas had led to a violent clash the previous evening. Family members said Russel could not be admitted to the hospital that night out of fear of further attacks. The next morning, he was taken to the hospital under local supervision, where the assailants allegedly struck again, injuring him severely before fleeing. Police said no formal complaint had been filed yet, but legal action would follow upon receiving one. The accused individuals, including Panna Biswas and his associates, were reported to be on the run.